Taste of Istanbul

3 Days | Experience Istanbul over a couple days on a Short Break Adventure

5 out of 5 based on 23 reviews submitted.
Short breaks
From
AUD $790
View dates and book

Get a true taste of Istanbul – a city forging itself as the world’s most spectacular intersection of cultures, cuisine and continents. Embark on a three-day Short Break Adventure to get an essential Istanbul experience, whether you’re adding it onto an exisiting trip or taking a weekend away. Explore the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar. You’ll also get under the skin of the place, eating with a local family, sharing tea and nargile (shisha) and finding hidden spots away from the tourist eye.

Trip overview

Map of Taste Of Istanbul including Turkey
Start
Istanbul, Turkey
Finish
Istanbul, Turkey
Theme
Short breaks
Destinations
Turkey
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
ERZI
This trip generates 24.97 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Take a guided tour through the Hagia Sophia and learn the hidden tales of this magnificent one-of-a-kind monument with a local expert.
  • Get lost in the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar, passing by the myriad traders who sell their wares in this expansive space. How good are your haggling skills?
  • Join a home cooking experience, discovering some simple local food with your hosts and spending some time in a tea house – just like the locals do!
  • Gain a close insight into the lives of past Sultans at Topkapi Palace.
  • Enjoy the hustle and bustle of the great city of Istanbul and rub shoulders with the locals.

Is this trip right for you?
  • On Short Breaks, you maintain a good level of independence and freedom, with the added bonus of having the details sorted out for you. You’ll have lots of free time and you won’t be accompanied by a Trip Leader. This means that all included activities and tours will be run by different local Intrepid partners, and these may operate independently from each other. The included activities and transfers will operate on a join-in basis, which means that you could have your Adventure all to yourself, or others may join you along the way. If you would prefer to travel in a group with a dedicated Trip Leader, just get in touch with your booking agent and they will take you through some alternatives.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Taste Of Istanbul including Turkey

Inclusions

Meals

2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

Local Transport

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights)

Activities
  • Istanbul - Hagia Sophia
  • Istanbul - Grand Bazaar
  • Istanbul - Istanbul Conquered Urban Adventure
Add on activities
  • Istanbul - Blue Mosque Visit - Free
  • Istanbul - Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat) - TRY200
  • Istanbul - Turkish Hamam (inc. massage) - EUR100
  • Istanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts - EUR17
  • Istanbul - Galata Tower - EUR30
  • Istanbul - Archaeology Museum - EUR15
  • Istanbul - Topkapi Palace Combined Ticket (Topkapi Palace + Hagia Irene + Harem) - TRY1700

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. This Short Break Adventure is a ‘join in’ group departure, which means you are not accompanied by an Intrepid group leader or local representative for the duration of the tour. This trip will run with a minimum of one person, so you may be joined by other travelers booked on the same date as you, or you may be on your own.
2. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 5 pm on Day 1 in Istanbul.
3. This adventure includes a visit to the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul. The Bazaar is closed on Sunday should you choose a Saturday departure for this product your visit to the Grand Bazaar on day 2 will be substituted with the Spice Market.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

5 out of 5 based on 23 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Barbara · Traveled August 2024
Wonderful few days with a fantastic guide (Zeynep) who knows a great deal about each element of the tour. The meal with the family on the first evening was delightful, and the in-depth knowledge of the usual sites was much appreciated. Zeynep also organized the second day to minimize long lines and heavy crowds. Overall, a very worthwhile and very enjoyable few days in a wonderful city!
Review submitted 07 Aug 2024

Christopher · Traveled May 2024
This is a short tour and can only cover a certain area, but it is thorough and very informative. Zeynep, the guide, is excellent. She is very knowledgeable and shares that knowledge in an easily understood way. She does her best to fit the tour to the group.
Review submitted 20 May 2024

Marilynn · Traveled May 2024
An excelkent way to see and understand the history of Istanbul. We did get e actly a taste of Istanbul. Valuable for first time visitors or anyone.
Review submitted 05 May 2024

Lynette · Traveled April 2024
Well organised, professional guide who balanced the time constructively.
Review submitted 03 May 2024

Marlene · Traveled March 2024
Our Taste of Istanbul Tour was absolutely amazing. Our guide Unsol was enthusiastic and knowledgeable and made our time in Istanbul very special. We had two days in Istanbul after finishing another Intrepid tour in Spain, Portugal and Morocco before joining this Istanbul toùr. We then stayed on for two days after the tour and Unsol made some excellent suggestions for additional activities, which we really enjoyed. This tour also gave us an opportunity to have a break before our long trip home to Australia. Highly recommended.
Review submitted 01 Apr 2024
Taste of Istanbul
From
AUD $790